Appointing Interim Leadership in the Libraries and Research & Innovation

This announcement was shared with faculty and staff on January 15, 2025.

Dear Colleagues,

As we continue to work toward Drexel’s Academic Transformation and greater organizational consistency, I’m pleased to announce interim leadership in the Drexel University Libraries and Office of Research & Innovation.

Interim Leadership of the Drexel University Libraries

After one year leading the Drexel University Libraries, Interim University Librarian Ann Yurcaba will retire at the end of this month. I’m pleased to share that Pedro Raposo, PhD, Martha Hamilton and I. Wistar Morris III Executive Director of the Library & Archives of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and an invited professor in the Department of History, has been appointed interim Head of University Libraries effective February 1, 2025.

At the Academy, Dr. Raposo has focused on transforming the Libraries & Archives — one of the most complete repositories of literature in the natural sciences in the United States — into a dynamic hub for research, teaching and learning through streamlined policies and strengthened partnerships, both across Drexel and with external organizations. He has played a key role in crafting a strategy for digital collections and access and steered the Academy’s Digital Collections Infrastructure signature initiative.

Prior to joining Drexel, he was curator and director of collections at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, where his exhibition work was awarded the 2016 Great Exhibitions Prize of the British Society for the History of Science; a researcher and lecturer at the University of Lisbon, Portugal; an education officer at the Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon; and a visiting scholar at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Germany. He received a PhD in the history of science from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, where he was awarded the Magellan Prize for his doctoral project.

I would like to thank Ann Yurcaba for her leadership and ensuring a successful transition of library services and operations during a period of transition. Over the past year, the Libraries have implemented new Open Access publishing agreements with nine publishers, expanded Drexel’s Research repository, received the Library Excellence in Access and Diversity award, and reinforced the unit's commitment to its core mission and 2023-2025 strategic priorities, in alignment with Drexel’s 2030 strategic plan.

In addition to the resources and expertise provided by the Libraries, Drexel’s and the Academy’s vast collections and archives are valuable assets for research and teaching. Dr. Raposo will bring his expertise in these areas and work closely with Senior Vice Provost Ros Remer, PhD, to more closely align and coordinate these assets, with Dr. Remer serving as Senior Vice Provost for Libraries, Collections and Archives. Their work will further enrich Drexel’s innovative teaching and learning and expand access to the world-class facilities of the Academy.

Interim Leadership of Research & Innovation

As previously announced, Executive Vice Provost for Research & Innovation Aleister Saunders, PhD, will be working closely with leadership in the College of Engineering, College of Computing & Informatics and the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems on operations and strategic matters as well as continued work in support of the Academic Transformation. 

While Dr. Saunders takes on that temporary assignment, Cassandra Myers, associate vice provost for research compliance and regulatory affairs, will take on additional responsibility in the Office of Research & Innovation. AVP Myers will lead various operational initiatives in the Office — including the CLARITY project and ongoing support for the Salus merger — and take on expanded responsibilities in existing functions including regulatory affairs, research integrity, and liaising with federal and state officials as well as engaging other key functions and teams.

Additionally, Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili, PhD, professor and senior associate dean for research in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, will serve as interim associate vice provost for research & innovation. Along with the ORI leadership team, Dr. DiMaria-Ghalili will act as a liaison between faculty researchers and the various administrative, technical, and operational teams that focus on research administration and innovation, supporting faculty members in efficiently conducting research within the institution's framework.

Together, the two leaders will ensure that ORI continues to meet the needs of our research community without interruption. I am grateful to both Rose Ann and Cassie for taking on these additional responsibilities during this time of transition.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Raposo, Dr. DiMaria-Ghalili and AVP Myers to their new/expanded roles!

Sincerely,

Paul E. Jensen, PhD
Executive Vice President
Nina Henderson Provost